Travel and Transport
BasicTravel and transport words.
- Travel words: journey · departure · arrival · platform · route
- Delay structure: The train was delayed by fifteen minutes because of a signal problem.
- Journey routine: buy tickets online → check the departure board → find your platform
文體小知識：Travel words from ticket to arrival.
§Text Passage
1Last month, my family travelled to Guangzhou by high-speed train, and the whole journey took only fifty minutes. We bought our tickets online one week before the trip, so there was no need to queue at the station. At West Kowloon Station, we checked the departure board and found our platform easily. Unfortunately, an announcement said our train was delayed by fifteen minutes because of a signal problem. Some passengers complained loudly, but others simply sat down and chatted.
2When the train finally arrived, everyone got on quickly and found their seats. The route passed through long tunnels and green fields, and I took many photos of the countryside. The train travelled so smoothly that my little sister fell asleep in her seat. I watched the map on the screen and counted the stations that we passed. A friendly passenger sitting next to us shared his snacks and told us that he had visited Guangzhou many times. He said the city's food was amazing.
3Our arrival time was eleven forty-five, so we still had a whole afternoon for sightseeing. We visited a famous temple, ate dim sum by the river and bought presents for my grandparents. On the return trip, I kept the ticket in my wallet as a souvenir. This journey taught me that travelling by train is both fast and comfortable. Perhaps next time we will take a plane and compare the two.
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
Last month, my family travelled to Guangzhou by high-speed train, and the whole journey took only fifty minutes.
上個月，我們一家人乘高鐵到廣州旅行，整段旅程只花了五十分鐘。
We bought our tickets online one week before the trip, so there was no need to queue at the station.
我們在出發前一星期於網上買了車票，所以不用在車站排隊。
At West Kowloon Station, we checked the departure board and found our platform easily.
在西九龍站，我們查看了出發顯示板，很快就找到月台。
Unfortunately, an announcement said our train was delayed by fifteen minutes because of a signal problem.
不幸的是，廣播說我們的列車因為信號問題延誤了十五分鐘。
Some passengers complained loudly, but others simply sat down and chatted.
有些乘客大聲抱怨，但其他人只是坐下來聊天。
When the train finally arrived, everyone got on quickly and found their seats.
列車終於到達時，大家都迅速上車，找到自己的座位。
The route passed through long tunnels and green fields, and I took many photos of the countryside.
路線穿過長長的隧道和綠色的田野，我拍了很多郊外的照片。
The train travelled so smoothly that my little sister fell asleep in her seat.
列車行駛得非常平穩，連我妹妹也在座位上睡著了。
I watched the map on the screen and counted the stations that we passed.
我看著屏幕上的地圖，數著我們經過的車站。
A friendly passenger sitting next to us shared his snacks and told us that he had visited Guangzhou many times.
坐在我們旁邊的一位友善乘客請我們吃零食，還說他去過廣州很多次。
He said the city's food was amazing.
他說這個城市的美食非常棒。
Our arrival time was eleven forty-five, so we still had a whole afternoon for sightseeing.
我們的到達時間是十一時四十五分，所以還有一整個下午觀光。
We visited a famous temple, ate dim sum by the river and bought presents for my grandparents.
我們參觀了一座著名的寺廟，在河邊吃了點心，還買了禮物給祖父母。
On the return trip, I kept the ticket in my wallet as a souvenir.
回程時，我把車票留在錢包裡作紀念。
This journey taught me that travelling by train is both fast and comfortable.
這次旅程讓我明白，乘火車旅行既快捷又舒適。
Perhaps next time we will take a plane and compare the two.
下次也許我們會乘飛機，比較一下兩者。
1Summary 重點摘要
Travel and transport words.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
The whole process from start to destination, short or long.
Time/action of leaving; e.g. departure time.
Reaching destination; e.g. arrival time.
Proof of travel/entry; one-way or return.
Where you wait/board a train; e.g. Platform 1.
Later than scheduled; e.g. The train is delayed.
A person travelling by vehicle.
Path from A to B; e.g. bus route.
3Step by step Steps
- Before leavingBuy early as the passage says: We bought our tickets online one week before the trip, so there was no need to queue. At the station, check the departure board and find your platform.
- During journeyListen to announcements: our train was delayed by fifteen minutes because of a signal problem. Watch the map on the screen and count the stations.
- On arrivalOur arrival time was eleven forty-five, so we went sightseeing, ate dim sum and bought presents. Keep the ticket: I kept the ticket in my wallet as a souvenir.
- Travel wordsjourney, departure, arrival, route, platform, passenger. Example: The whole journey took only fifty minutes.
- Delaysdelayed by + time: The train was delayed by fifteen minutes because of a signal problem. Reactions: Some complained loudly, but others simply sat down and chatted.
- Past simpleReport travel experiences in the past simple: travelled, bought, took photos, fell asleep. Example: The train travelled so smoothly that my little sister fell asleep.
- Wrapping upClosing line: This journey taught me that travelling by train is both fast and comfortable. Next time: Perhaps we will take a plane and compare the two.
5Worked example Example
Based on the passage, write five sentences in the past tense about a journey: where you went, how you got the tickets, one problem, what happened on the way, and your arrival.
- Step 1: Open with time and destination — Last month, my family travelled to Guangzhou by high-speed train.
- Step 2: Say how you prepared — We bought our tickets online one week before the trip.
- Step 3: Add one small problem — An announcement said our train was delayed by fifteen minutes.
- Step 4: Write what happened on board — A friendly passenger shared his snacks and told us about the city's food.
- Step 5: End with arrival and feelings — We arrived at eleven forty-five, so we still had a whole afternoon for sightseeing.
- Answer: Last month, my family travelled to Guangzhou by high-speed train, and the journey took only fifty minutes. We bought our tickets online one week before the trip, so we did not need to queue at the station. At West Kowloon Station, an announcement said our train was delayed by fifteen minutes because of a signal problem. When we finally got on, a friendly passenger shared his snacks with us and told us about the city's amazing food. We arrived at eleven forty-five and still had a whole afternoon for sightseeing.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1What is a journey?
Q2What is departure?
Q3What is arrival?
Q4What is a platform?
Q5What is delayed?
8Recap Recap
- Travel words: journey · departure · arrival · platform · route
- Delay structure: The train was delayed by fifteen minutes because of a signal problem.
- Journey routine: buy tickets online → check the departure board → find your platform
- From the passage: the high-speed train took only fifty minutes; a used ticket makes a souvenir
- Write journey stories in the past simple: travelled, bought, arrived